Rhiannon Hendricks
Hindu weddings are a long process with various rituals that may take days to be executed. Indian weddings typically take place over the course of three days, with each day of festivities featuring specific rituals, ceremonies, and events. The first day begins with the Ganesh Puja, a prayer offered to the Hindu deity Ganesh for blessings and a harmonious atmosphere during the festivities. The second day includes the Mehndi ceremony, where the bride and other women have their hands and feet adorned with henna patterns. The third day is when the main wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception take place. The wedding ceremony involves rituals such as exchanging floral garlands and circling the fire seven times, while the reception is a fun party with music, dancing, and a lavish dinner.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of days | 3 days (can be up to 5 days) |
| Number of guests | 400 |
| Food | Rice, naan, chicken dishes, lentil dishes, curries, samosas, dhal, gulab jamun, paratha |
| Drinks | N/A |
| Music | Bhangra, English/Western, Bollywood |
| Attire | Bride: lehenga, sari, lahanga, odhani, kurti or poshak. Groom: kurta, sherwani, achkan, turban |
| Rituals | Ganesh Puja, Mehndi, Sangeet, Haldi, Kanyadaan, Varmala, Vidaai, Aashirvaad, Baraat, Saptapadi, Fera, Tilak, Ban, Mel, Nikasi, Sehla, Dhukav |
| Timing | The ceremony begins at an auspicious time (Muhurat) |
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The wedding ceremony
Indian weddings are a long process with various rituals that may take days to be executed. The wedding festivities typically take place over three days, though some can be up to five days long. The first day begins with the Ganesh Puja, a prayer offered to the Hindu deity Ganesh (or Ganesha) to seek blessings for a harmonious atmosphere during the festivities and a positive start to the couple's marriage.
The second day is when the Mehndi ceremony takes place. The bride and other women have their hands and feet adorned with intricate henna patterns. The event may include choreographed dances for entertainment as the application can be time-consuming. The Mehndi ceremony is hosted by the bride's family and usually takes place a day or two before the wedding. The colour palette often differs from the wedding day, with bright colours like oranges and pinks being popular.
The third day is when the main wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception take place. The ceremony begins with the priest chanting prayers, and the couple circles the fire seven times, known as Saptapadi, representing the legal element of the Hindu marriage. In some regions, the bride and groom are tied together with sashes or a piece of clothing for this ritual. The four sides of the mandap represent the earthly elements and the parents of the couple, who are seen as the pillars of the new foundation of the marriage. During the Varmala, the couple exchanges floral garlands, usually made of jasmine, roses, or marigolds, symbolising their acceptance into each other's families. The ceremony also includes the Kanyadaan, where the bride's family gives her hand to the groom, and the exchange of rings or necklaces. The groom and bride then sit next to each other, praying to Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva for eternal happiness for themselves and their families.
After the ceremony, the reception takes place, which has a very different feel. It is a fun party with Bhangra, English/Western, and Bollywood songs, as well as contemporary Western music. The couple's families throw a lavish party with speeches, performances, a huge sit-down dinner, and dancing.
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Pre-wedding events
Hindu weddings are a long process with various rituals that may take days to be executed. Every custom and practice in a wedding ceremony has deep philosophical and spiritual significance. Pre-wedding events are an important part of the Hindu wedding ceremony and can be joyous celebrations, full of fun, fervour, laughter, and music.
One of the most important pre-wedding ceremonies is the engagement, which usually takes place a few months before the wedding. The engagement is an intimate event with close relatives and friends from both sides of the family. During the ceremony, the fathers of the couple-to-be announce the wedding to the guests, and the couple exchanges rings to solidify their engagement.
The Tilak ceremony is another important pre-wedding custom. During this ceremony, a special mark, or "tilak", is applied to the groom's forehead by the bride's father or brother. The tilak is usually made from ash, clay, sandalwood, turmeric, or vermillion paste, and represents spiritual devotion and a connection to positive energies. The ceremony is held at the groom's residence and is an auspicious welcoming celebration that promotes bonding between the two families.
The Haldi ceremony, also known as the mandvo or pithi ceremony, is a fun event that involves both sides of the family. It is usually held a couple of days before the wedding at the couple's respective residences. During the ceremony, a turmeric paste, mixed with sandalwood, milk, and rose water, is applied to the faces, necks, hands, and feet of the couple by their family members. The yellow colour of the turmeric is believed to brighten the skin colour of the couple and bless them with good luck.
The Mehendi ceremony is another fun Hindu pre-wedding ritual. The bride and sometimes the groom, have henna applied to their hands and feet in elaborate and intricate designs. The ceremony usually takes place in the evening, with music and dancing, and is hosted by the bride's family.
The Sangeet ceremony is a joyous and song- and dance-filled pre-wedding event. It is a chance for the couple's families to come together, get to know each other, and celebrate. The ceremony is usually held the day before the wedding, and every wedding guest is usually invited.
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The reception
The food served at the reception is typically a buffet-style dinner, with a variety of traditional Indian dishes such as rice, naan, chicken, and lentil dishes, as well as sweets like gulab jamun. The guest list for Indian weddings is usually quite large, with hundreds of people in attendance, so a buffet-style dinner ensures that everyone is fed.
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Food and drink
Traditional Hindu wedding dishes include samosas, sabzis, and the ever-popular butter chicken. Biryani, a fragrant rice dish with meat or vegetables, is another must-have dish at almost every Indian wedding. It is believed to bring good luck to the couple when served as the first meal they eat as husband and wife. Other staples include paneer tikka, a dish prepared with paneer, dried fenugreek leaves, garlic paste, ginger paste, carom seeds, and gram flour, and gulab jamun for dessert. North Indian wedding menus often feature rich, hearty dishes like lamb curry and naan.
In addition to these staples, there are some unique dishes and rituals associated with different regions of India. For example, Western Indian cuisine is an interesting fusion of the foods of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa. Maharashtrian dishes often include coconut milk and fish due to the state's coastal location, while Gujarati meals are primarily vegetarian due to the dry climate. Goan cuisine, on the other hand, shows a significant Portuguese influence, with dishes made using Portuguese spices, vinegar, and more pork and beef than in other areas.
The pre-wedding Haldi ceremony is another important ritual in Hindu weddings, where turmeric paste is applied to the bride's and groom's skin. Turmeric is revered for its purifying and healing properties, and it is believed that the ceremony brings a glowing radiance to the couple before their wedding day.
As for drinks, traditional Indian wedding celebrations do not serve alcohol. Sharbat, also known as Indian sherbet, can be served as a dessert or watered down as a beverage. It is made from fruit or flower petals and can be customised to match the wedding theme. Chaas or mattha, a blend of thinned yogurt, water, and spices, is another popular choice. For summer weddings, refreshing drinks such as piyush (a blend of yogurt and milk) and jil jil jigarthanda are often served. Freshly squeezed juices, such as mango, orange, watermelon, and pineapple, are also common.
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Photography
Hindu weddings are a long process with various rituals that may take days to be executed. The wedding festivities typically take place over three days, though some can last up to five days, and involve a lot of food, rituals, and celebrations. The invitation should state the day or days for the festivities, and it is common for Indian weddings to have multiple pre-wedding events.
The first day begins with the Ganesh Puja, a prayer offered to the Hindu deity Ganesh or Ganesha. The family seeks blessings for an auspicious beginning for the couple and a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere during the festivities.
The second day of wedding festivities is when the Mehndi ceremony takes place. The bride and other women have their hands and feet adorned with intricate henna patterns. The Mehndi ceremony is hosted by the bride's family, and it is considered to bring good luck and health to the bride as she begins her married life. This event may include choreographed dances for entertainment as the application of henna can take a long time.
The third day is when the main wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception take place. The ceremony begins with the priest chanting prayers, and the wedding couple circles the fire seven times, known as Saptapadi or Saat Phere. They may also be tied together with a piece of clothing or sashes for this ritual. The couple then exchanges floral garlands, known as Varmala, Milni Mala, or Jai Mala, symbolizing their acceptance of each other into their families. This ritual can be made playful by competing to see who can place the garland on the other first.
Following the ceremony is the wedding reception, which has a very different feel to it. It is a fun party with Bhangra, English/Western, and Bollywood songs, as well as contemporary Western music. The couple's families throw a lavish party with speeches, performances, and a huge sit-down dinner.
45 minutes is suggested for the daytime couple's session, but more time can be allocated for more extravagant photos or different locations. During this time, the photographer can also capture detail and prep shots of outfit changes and more formal portraits with family members. It is important to have a list of specific portraits you want, including family members, to ensure all your desired shots are obtained.
The grand farewell, or Vidaai, is said to be one of the most emotional Hindu wedding-related customs. The bride throws a mixture of rice, flower petals, and coins behind her to her parents five times without looking, representing her gratitude and paying back their kindness. This ritual provides another opportunity for photographers to capture the couple's emotions and the rituals' symbolism.
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Frequently asked questions
Hindu weddings are a long process with various rituals that may take days to be executed. Typically, they take place over the course of three days, but some can be as long as five days.
The Ganesh Puja is a prayer offered by the family to the Hindu deity Ganesh (or Ganesha) concerning the coming ceremony. The Mehndi ceremony is when the bride and other women in attendance will have their hands and feet adorned with complex and elegant henna patterns. The Sangeet usually takes place on the second day, where every wedding guest is invited and it can involve the introduction of the couple's families, mingling, a meal, and dances or other performances.
The Saptapadi (Sanskrit for "seven steps" or "seven feet") is the most important ritual of Vedic Hindu weddings and represents the legal element of the Hindu marriage ceremony. The couple conducts seven circuits of the Holy Fire (Agni), which is considered a witness to the vows they make to each other.
